OLD MEMORIES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 50, Issue 3057, 2 April 1941, Page 5

OLD MEMORIES

ANNIVERSARY IN PAEROA

PRESBYTERIANS GATHER

SOCIAL HELD MONDAY NIGHT

Continuing the celebrations of the Paeroa Presbyterian Church, in commemoration of its 60th. anniversary, a largely attended social gathering was held in the church on Monday night. Members and adherents who had been associated during various periods of the 60 years had travelled, some, long distances, to be present, and. many happy reunions took place after the wholly enjoyable speeches interspersed by items, had terminated with a very special ceremony.

A generous birthday cake, made by Mrs R. D. McEwan, decorated by Mrs S. I. Mclntyre and contributed to by members of the congregation, bearing 60 candles, was cut by Mrs R. D. McEwan and Mrs Cecil Jackson of Tirohia, a niece of Mrs Norrie whose husband did so much to establish Presbyterianism in the Paeroa district. Candles Lit Prior to the cutting of the cake, the Right Rev. G. H. Jupp, moderator of Assembly, representing the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, lit a large centre candle. Others taking part in this ceremony were: —Paeroa Presbyterian ministers, represented by Rev. R. D. McEwan; wives of the the ministers, Mrs J. Lowery; old members, Mrs G. Buchanan and Mrs G. M. Wilson; adherents, Miss El. Rickard; session, Mr G. Buchanan; committee, Mr C. Townshend; Sunday school, Mr J. Mclntyre; Bible classes, Miss C. Keller; choir-masters, Mr W. F. North; organists, Mrs W. E. Tubman; P.W.M.U., Mrs E. V. Slyfield; Guild, Mrs J. Brocket; youth of church, Miss G. Catton; Netherton, Mrs Dally; Karangahake, Mrs Ritchie; Waikino, Mrs Jones; Tirohia, Mr W. Noble.

The candles were blown out by Masters B. Catton and G. Pope and pieces of cake handed round after the delicious supper, which was provided by the ladies of the church.

The musical programme consisted of vocal solos (bracket of two), by Mrs J. Stevenson; “Bless This House,” and the special request “0 Rest In The Lord,” by Mrs Jones, Waikino; “A Little Gleam of Sun,” and “Teach Me To Pray,” by Mrs W. Tubman; duets, Misses Gwen Catton and E. Davie (unaccompanied), and Mrs J. Stevenson and Mrs Meek. The accompaniments were played by Mrs J. Craig, Mrs G. O. Jones and Mr Jones, and each item received its full share of appreciation.

In opening the social celebrations on Monday night, Rev. R. D. McEwan asked, all present to join in singing “All People That On Elarth Do Dwell,” after which the visiting minister from Te Aroha, Rev. Haslop, led in prayer. Telegrams and Letters Many telegrams and letters of felicitation, were received from as far as Ashburton, Whangarei and ■Waipawa, the last-mentioned being from the clerk of assembly, Rev. F. W. Robertson., Old members, Mr and Mrs H. Littlejohn (Whangarei), and Mrs Janet Forrest, also sent greetings. Mrs E. W. Porritt it was reported, was very ill and unable to take her place as one of the older identities.

After some weeks of preparations, stated the Rev. McEwan, he had compiled. and posted over 200 booklets commemorating the jubilee. He was exceedingly grateful for all who had supplied addresses of the old identities. There was an ambition, he hoped, to realise before the conclusion of these celebrations, and that was the wiping out of the £l5O debt still on the church. Helpers Thanked

Rev. McEwan expressed thanks to all the helpers, 'organisations of the church, without whom a minister could do so little. Miss E. Rickard was also thanked for the donation of a handsome carpet, which would add to the beauty of the interior surroundings.

Mr G. Buchanan was called upon to give some of his earlier reminisences, having been resident in the district for nearly 50' years. Mi Buchanan began with the mention of the United Christian Endeavour, which had been such an influence for good in the lives of many in Paeroa. Mr Norrie continued with excellent service. The first meeting place had been a small hall on a site about opposite Mr C. N. O’Neill’s office, wheie later the Criterion Hall stood. The domain at that time was either covered with pennyroyal or water and frogs! The Wharf street, then Bradley street, halls followed, and later some enthusiastic workers decided, to

raise funds to build a place of their own and the present church was begun. Opening of Church At the opening ceremony which was performed by Rev. A. Gow, he prayed that this church would be a missionary church, and indeed it had.

Rev. Murray Gow, a son, has worthily followed in his father’s footsteps; Rev. Albert Keller, now of United States of America, had received his early training here, and Doctor Allan North, one of the Sunday School boys of later years, had devoted six years to qualify as a medical representative on the Presbyterian- Maori Mission field. Unfortunately war conditions have delayed this scheme and Doctor North is at present station medical officer at Rongotai Air Base.

Among the lady workers, Miss E. Webber had proved herself of the finest quality among the Maoris, as also had Miss N. Morgan and Miss J. Milroy. Miss L. Buchanan was travelling secretary for the Bible Class and since her marriage to Rev. Prior had resided in England. Both had the honour to be elected New Zealand representatives at the big Amsterdam Conference in 1939. Mrs R. Harries (formerly Miss Lois Slyfield) is doing mission work in the Sudan together with her husband. Two sons of a former minister, Rev. Rule, are also in the ministry and Rev. R. Morgan, once of this charge, is now at Tokaanu Maori Mission.

A great worker for the Paeroa church over 30 years ago was Mrs E. Lowery (formerly Miss Littlejohn). Mrs Lowery was present at the celebrations and spoke a few words. Miss C. Keller mentioned the highspirited sons of Rev. Rule and how each one had justified the faith of his father.

Rev. Jupp recalled his first memor-' ies of the district when “roads” were anything but roads. He read a letter of good wishes from Rev. Murray Gow and his mother, whose name is on the foundation stone. He touched on the vast changes that have come about in 60 years and urged the help of every individual person in the days ahead. “Where is thy flock, thy beautiful flock?” While the boys of the congregations are away overseas, those of us who are left behind must answer the call of Gqd, instantly, eagerly, for it is, a time of sore stress. Grey heads must again take their places and carry on. It is a wonderful thing to look back, but what of the future, the new vision, all that is opening before us? This gathering is unique, and. many have some very pleasant memories of earlier attendances here. Friendly and Happy

Mr Jupp remarked that he could feel the friendly, happy and congenial atmosphere which prevailed. There could be no greater joy to a minister and Mr McEwan was also gratefully aware of it. Not only were the Paeroa Presbyterian Church folk friendly among themselves, but among strangers as well. Such fellowship was a blessing from God, and an uplifting of the people. t Rev. Jupp also congratulated the church upon its minister and his wife. 1 hey were friends of long standing and he especially remembered them at a little mission station down south, which they left in excellent heart. Other speakers who conveyed the warmest greetings and commented on the justifiable pride of the 60 years’ history, w r ere Rev Spier (Waihi) for the Waikato Presbytery and the people of Waihi, Rev. Haslop (Te Aroha), Rev. Nelson (Paeroa Methodist), Major Moore (Salvation Army),- Mr Edwin Edwards (Paeroa) and Mr Jones (Waikino). Civic Welcome Mr Edwin Edwards extended a civic welcome to Right Rev. Jupp and congratulations to the Paeroa Church on this auspicious occasion. He recalled many pleasant memories of associations in earlier days, with Sunday school workers of the Presbyterian Church, and commended the present members and Mr McEwan for the great success of this function.